The Pantin2paille duo, between beats, flow and sharp words, just like at home at Nuits Carrées

On the phone, it's Tchoul who takes care of preaching the good word in interviews. His real first name? He won't let it go. "Only my mother uses it. And even then, when she's angry."

Tchoul, that's how the forty-something is identified in the entertainment industry. He's a lighting designer, having worked on shows by Clara Luciani and Dadju. His partner in Pantin2Paille, a duo based between Saint-Laurent-du-Var and La Colle-sur-Loup, is Gregg. He's a sound engineer, a position that has led him to supervise shows by Amir, Julie Zenatti, and Gilbert Montagné.

And while Gregg operates primarily in the region, tonight in Antibes, Tchoul will be on even more familiar ground, as he will be managing the "lights" at Nuits Carrées, an event he has been involved in for a long time.

Together, these two friends have already experienced various musical adventures since the 2000s. First there was Sinké Zakéou, a ska-punk band that played around a hundred dates. Then there was the trip hop project Haute Couture, which was presented at Nuits Carrées in 2009.

IAM opening soon in Vence

In 2021, the two friends started a new cycle with Pantin2paille and a 5-track EP, between electronic beats, hip-hop spirit and French lyrics. "We can say it: we're a bit old, we're fathers and we have a lot of work. But we wanted to see what it could be like if we pushed to develop the project, especially in concert. Our ambition is to share our music with as many people as possible, by having fun."

Last year, the feedback was encouraging. Supporting Caballero & JeanJass at the Mas des Escaravatiers and Gims at the Beach Sport Festival in Saint-Laurent-du-Car, the "old guard" did the job.

Before joining the Nuits du Sud in Vence (July 12, opening for IAM), Pantin2paille is scheduled for 9 p.m. this Thursday, just before Biot's Ben Mazué, the headliner. "Seb Hamard, the festival director, has always given us good advice. Musically, he's pulled us up, " says Tchoul, who will be at the microphone, reciting the lyrics he composed. Gregg, a trained drummer, will arrive with his machines and pads to bring percussion to Pantin2paille's set.